Conveyer.



G. D. SBEBERG-EB.

CONVEYBR.

APPLICATION FILED 0011s. 1905.

RENEWED DEC. 7. 1908.

Patented July 13, 1909.

3 SHEETS-411331 1.

WW IHUR H WRNEYS C. D. SEEBBHGBR.

CONVEYER. APLLmA'YION 11950 00110. 1905. RENEWED D130.

Patented July 13, 1909.

3 SHBETS-SHEFT iNVENT OR ism G. D. SEEBERGER.

CONVEYEE.

APPLICATION-FILED 0OT.16. 1905 RENEWED DBO. 7, was.

927,685. Patented July 13, 1909.

3 SHEETS-*BHEET 3.

WITNESSES: INVE'NTOR IM xsxw fl J/Z 22 454 4 2? WWW/5a? ATTORN EYS Unirnn snares PATENT OFF1CE.

CHARLES D. SEEBERGER, Of YONKERS, NEW YORK.

CONVEYER.

To all 007mm it may comrern:

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 16, 1905, Serial No. 282,887. Renewed December 7, 1908. Serial No. 466,408.

Banana, a citizen of the United States, residmg at i onlqers, in the county of \lcstchestcr and State of New York, have invented certain new ,and useful lmprovements in (on Veyers, &e., of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the acconn'ianying drawing.

This invention relates to freight transporting appz'tratus, and has particular reference to a conveyor extending between different landings or levels and adapted to break into step-like formation on the incline, combined with a wheeled freight carrier, such as a truck, with provision, due to the action of the conveyor and resulting either from a novel arrangement of the steps or means on the trucks, for maintaining the truck in stable position on the conveyor while being trans jmrted along the incline.

The invention consists ofthe organizations and arrangements of parts hereinafter para modification of the invention and showing a truck provided. with means to block the same on the tread surfaces of the stairway; Fig. 4 is an end view of the truck seen in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 illustrates a detail of the truck; and Fig. 6 illustrates a further modi'fii'zation of the invention, showing a two wheel truck with blocking device.

In Fig. 1, l have shown iliagranimatically a simple form of conveyor, such as a moving stairway which, while it is capable of use for transporting passengers, is of such character as to be particularly serviceable for transporting freight trucks. As there shown the track circuit on which the stairway travels comprises on the upper or transporting run the upper and lower tracks 10 and 11, re

spectively. These tracks under the lower level or landing 12 are in substantially the same horizontal plane, as at 13. The lower track beyond this point dips or curves slightly, as at 14, to the bottom of the in- Patented July 13, 1909.

eline, while the upper track 10 is slightly inclined or curved upwardly, as at 15, to the under the curve 18 is depressed below the horizontal 17, as at 1%).

The conveyer consists of sections or steps 120 which may he of any suitable character and driven by any suitable means. The steps, in the present instance, are provided with end yolves 21 on the ends of which are mounted suitable wheels 22 vnd 23, the former being adapted to the lower track 11 while the latter cooperate with the upper track 10.

The lower landil'ig 12 is providcd with a suitable float 24', preferably inclined as shown in Fig. l, which rests upon each step as it assumes a horizontal position in passing from the return run of the conveyor. This float is movable vertically so as to adjust itself to the steps, but is l)l()(l\'0(l against hm'izontal movement, that is from. following the steps. At the upper level a similar float 25 is provided for the upper landing l6 and adapted to rest upon each step as it passes to or from the lnirixontal tracks 17.

By reason of the curved dip 14 in the lower track at the bottom of the incline and the gradual rise of the upper track, each step after it passes fhc lloat 24 is tilted upwardly at its riser end so that its tread surface is oblique, and as the steps pass to'and up the incline this obliqueness is increased, gradually diminishing as the tracks merge into the horizontal at 17, the arrangement being such that the tread surfaces of the ste s are in horizontal and in intersecting ob ique planes at the lam'lings, and in parallel oblique planes on the transporting run. 7

With the arrangement described the freight carrier, such as the four wheel trucks shown in Fig. 1, may be automatically picked up by the conveyor at the lower landing, transported to the top of the incline and then autolnatically delivered on to the upper landing.

In Fig. 1 a truck, designated a, is shown as entering the lower landing portion of the while ascending and at the upper landing, respectively. Assuming that the conveyer is used for ascending, the wheels at one end of the truck are pushed from the floor or landing over the float 2-l on to the step then pass-- ing from under the float. The tipping of the step from the horizontal, due to the arrange ment of the tracks, causes the truck, as a, to be drawn forward upon the stairway until the .whe'els'first entering on the step come to rest against the nosing or user of t 1e step in adthe step at the head of the incline or immediately in advance thereof and on which the rear wheels of the truck, as 0, rest being at an angle, owing to the rise of the upper track at 18 and the de ression of the track 11 at 19, the rear whee s of the truck roll down such tread thereby pushing the forward wheels over the float 25 on to the upper floor or landing.

The obliquity of the tread surfaces on the incline to be effective for the purpose intended, that is to say to maintain the truck in a stable position, need not be of such degree as to affect the footing for passengers, so that the moving stairway may be employed for transporting not only the freight trucks, but also passengers. It is obvious that the stairway may also be driven in the reverse direction or so as to trans ort the trucks from an upper to a lower leve the inclination or obliquity of the steps on the incline acting in the same manner as when ascending to hold the trucks stable.

While in Fig. 1, the trucks are blocked or prevented from moving independently of the stairway by the novel arrangement of the steps, the same result may be accomplished by providing the truck with means for blocking the wheels or throwing them out of action automatically by the action of the conveyer or stairway. Such modification of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 3 to (5, inclusive.

The freight carrier or truck shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, may be employed with a moving stairway having its tread surfaces horizontal on the incline, as indicated in outline in Fig. 3. The carrier or truck (Z shown is provided intermediate its ends with suitable supporting wheels 26 on the same axis. At one end, and preferably at each end, so that the truck is rendered reversible, is a supporting and site end of the truck are brought into p aying wheel will readily turn when the course of the truck is changed. The center wheels 26 are larger than the swiveled end wheels so that the truck may be pushed along either while resting on its center wheels 26 with an attendant to maintain the equilibrium, or while resting on the center wheels and one of the end wheels.

The truck thus far described may be of the usual or any suitable construction. The present invention, so far as the truck is concorned, has reference to means for maintaining the truck in a stableposition while being transported by a traveling stairway having horizontal tread surfaces. To this end I provide suitable supports, which are automatically brougl'it into play, to block the truck, by the action of the conveyer sections as they break into step-like formation. These supports may be of any suitable character adapted to the attainment of the desired end. In the present instance two of the supports, as 29, are located outside the wheels 26, as shown in Fig. 4, and are pivoted at their ends in hangers 30 secured to the bottom of the truck. One of the hangers 30 is illustrated in detail in Fig. 5, and as there shown it consists of a casing in the sides of which is mounted a transverse pivot pin 31 on which the upper end of the support is pivoted. The supports 29 are provided with feet 32 having flat bearing or contact surfaces. \Vhen the truck is in a horizontal position the centers of the pivots 31 and the axis of the wheels 26 are in a vertical line and the length of the support is less than that from such pivot to the point of contact of the wheel 26 so that the feet 32 clear the floor or ground, as shown in Fig. l. At the ends of the'truck and on each side of the wheels 27 are located hangers 33 similar to 30 and in which are pivoted supports 34. and 35 similar to the supports 29. in the present embodiment of the invention each pair of end sup ports is located between the adjacent end wheel 27 and the end of the truck, and those sup nuts 34 and 35 are also of such length as to,clear the floor when the truck is run. along the level with the associated end wheel 27 in contact with the floor.

In using the truck with a traveling stairway, the truck is moved so as to enter the Wheel at one end beyond the float at the lower landing. As the stop under the front wheel begins to rise it engages the leading wheel of the truck thus lifting the truck off its center wheels 26, the truck then. being supported by both end wheels 27. ()wing to the elevation'of the advancing end of the truck due to thcrisc of the step on which the front wheel rests the supports 34 at the op )oguiding wheel 27, which may be mounted in and rest on the step under the rear wheel 27 a swiveled hanger 28, so that when the truck 1S run on the ground or floor the end sup portso that the truck is then supported by the end wheels 27 and the supports 34-. As the step supports 29, as shown in Fig. 3.

back of the step supporting the lront wheel 27 rises it engages the center wheels 26 and su ports 2!), which of course depend verti Cally, thereby lifting the l'ront wheels l'roin the step on which they previously rested, and raising the truck so that it is then supported by the rear supports 34 and center As the upper end ol' the stairway is reached and the steps at the upper landing travel in the same horizontal plane, the truck is brought to a I substantially horizontal position again so as 4 side of the vertical.

to be supported by its wheels, the supports then swinging to their vertical positions to elear the steps.

()wing to the construction described, the supports are automatically brought into play by the action of the stairway breaking into step-like formation on the incline and are also automatically thrown out ol' action as the steps travel with their tread surl'aces in. the same horizontal plane at the landing. 'lhe supports, having tlat bearing surfaces, rest upon the tread surfaces holding the wheels out of engagement therewith thereby blocl ing the truck and preventing it from moving down the incline independently ol' the steps.

instead ol' arranging the supports in pairs, which is done to prevent overturning ol' the truck when resting on the supports, t 1e same end may be attained by employing a single support instead of a pair and extending the loot laterally, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5.

The end walls ot' the casings 30 and 33 are designed to be so disposed as to be engaged by and providi stops for the supports when the latter are at an angle corresponding to that ot' the incline of the moving stairway. lhus it the inclination of the stairway is 30 degrees the end walls of the casings are so located that the supports can swing only 30 degrees. it the truck is reversible then the opening of the casing would be such as to permit the support to swing 30 degrees either 3y this arrangement the supports are held vertical while the stairway is traveling along the incline and react against the walls ot the casings to prevent the supports tipping pa st the center.

In Fig. 6, l have shown a two-wheeled truck which is provided with a locking or blocking device to insure the truck being held securely on the stairway (shown diagrannnatieally) while passing along the int cline. This truck, e, is generally ir the of an ordinary two-wheeled truck. 36 of the truck, however, are provl wide bearing or friction surfaces 31. legs are of such length that the supp rting surface ol" the truck is at less ai to the horizontal than is the incline ot' the at or. the intent being to give an angle o1 pose to the truck surface while the inclination in the escalator may be much greater than srz'h angle 01' repose. A suitable blocking device is employed to block the truck against movement and such device in the present instance consists of a curved (log or shoe 38 which is pivoted to the truck back ol the wheels and so located as to come into action when its pivot center swings below the horizontal.

in use the truck is pushed on to the steps at the lower landing and as the eonveycr breaks into steps at the bottom of the incline the truck is tilted at an angle throwing the shoe against the step on which the heels rest and wedging it between the step and the wheel so as to ell'ectintlly block the latter, the friction surl'ace 37 ot' the leg resting on a following step. At. the upperlanding as the steps at the top of the incline come into the same horizontal plan i again the shoe is tilted from engagement from the step and wheel, and the steps continue their movement, owing to the t'rictional engagement between the leg 30 and the step on which it rests the wheels are pushed up the lloat and on to the landing.

llaving described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent ol the United States, is--- 1. In a device of the class described, the combination with a conveyor consisting of sections adapted to break into step-like formation, of a wheeled truck, and provision for holding the truck against movement on the steps;

2. In a device of the class described, the combination with a conveyor consisting of sections adapted to break into step-like formation, of a wheeled truck adapted to be scoured against movement on the conveyor by the action of the sections.

3. in a device of the class described, the combii'iation with an inclined convever connecting dill'erent levels and consisting ol' sections adapted to break into step-like formation between the levels, ot a wheeled truck, and provision thrown into action as the sections assume their step-like t'ormation l'or preventing iiulepcndcnt movement of the truck down the incline.

i. In a device ol' the class described, a wheeled truck and the like adapted to bev transported by a conveycr consisting ol' sections which break up into step-like formation and having the wheels thercol' blocked by such action ol' the convever.

5. in a device ol' the class descriln d, the combination with a conveyor adapted to break into step-like l'orniation, ol' a wheeled truck, and means l'or autonni-tically throwing the wheels out ol' action while the truck is being carried along the incline.

('1. in a device of the class described, the combination with a conveyer'adaptcd to break into step-liko formation, ol a wheeled truck, and a device on the truck which is brought into play by the movement of the combination steps to maintain the truck stable on the conveyor.

7. In a device of the class described, the with an inclined conveyor adapted to break into step like l'orniation, ot a truck provided with a device which. au toinaticallv brought into action by the breaking of the conveyor into step-like lorniation to prevent movement of the truck on the incline independently of the conveyor.

S. In a device of the class described, a wheeled truck and the like. adapted to be trz'insported by an endless conve ,"er consi. 1 ing of sections ada )ted to break into steplike lormzttion, ant supports on the truck which are automatically brought into action as the sections break into steps.

9. In a device oftho class described, a wheeled truck and the like adapted to be transported by an endless conveyor consisting ol'sections adapted to break into steplikc torniz'ttion, and having pivoted supports upon which the. truck rests on the (UllYtYUl and which are automatically thrown into action. as the convever breaks into step-like formation.

10. in a device of the class described, the combination with an inclined conveyor consistingoi' sections adapted to break into stcplike formation on the inc-line, ot a truck adapted to be. transported by the convoy. and provided with center wheels and an end wheel, internimliate and end supports pivoted to the truck and ot' such length as to clear the door when the truck rests upon its wheels and which are zuitoinaticaliv thrown into action to support the truck on the con- 1 \evor as the latter breaks into step-like l'orniation.

it. in. a device ot' the cla s described. the combination with an inclined conveyor consisting ot sections adapted to, break into step- 5 like torinatirm on tho incline, ot' a wheeled truck adapted to be transported by the conveyor, pivoted supports on the truck, which are automatically thrown into action to support the truck in lopondently ot the wheels as the conveyor breaks into step-like formation, and stops to engage the supports when moved to an angle correspoinling to the in clination ol' the conveyor.

in combination with a inoving inclined stairway, ol a wheeled truck, and supports pivoted to the truck and thrown into action to supporttho truck inde wiideutlv ol' the wheels by the action ol' the steps and limited in their movement to an angle corrospmiding with the inclination ol the conveyor.

12%. in a device ol the class descritml, a truck or vehicle [or t'reight adapted to automatically change its supports while being transported l'roni one plane to another to pre vent movement ol' the truck independeutly i ol' the transporting incaus. in a device of the class described, at

emgcss truck or vehicle for freight adapted to automatically change its supports when passing from a horizontal to an oblique plane to prevent movement of the truck on the latter supports which are thrown into or out of action as the conveyor passes from one plane to another.

10. ln a device of the class described, a

cimveyor,and a truck having supports Which are brought into action in alternation by the action ot' the conveyor.

17. in a device. of the class described, a conveyor having horizontal landing portions and breaking into step-like formation between. the landing portions, and a truck having supports which are brought into action in alternation as the conveyor passes from one landing portion to the other.

1Sv In a device of the class described, an inclined conveyor for transporting freight trucks and the like consisting of sections having their upper surfaces inclined on the transporting run.

19. In a device ol the class described, an inclined conveyor consisting of sections which break into step-like formation on the incline, the troiul'surface of each step then being inclined downwardly from the nose thereof. l

20. in a device oi the class described, an inclined conveyor for transporting freight trucks and. the like consisting of stop-like sections having their troad surfaces inclined on the transporting run.

21. in a device of the class described, an inclined conveyor consisting of sections which break into stcp-like formation on the incline with theirtread surfaces oblique.

22. in a device of the class described, an inclined conveyor mnnect-ing ditl'ere'nt landings and consisting of an endless moving stairway having the tread surlacesbctween the landings in oblique planes.

23. In a device of the class described, an inclined conveyor consisting of sections which. break into step-like formation With their tread surfaces in oblique planes at the incline and in dillorcnt oblique planes at the landing.

24. in a device of the class described, an inclined conveyor for transporting freight trucks and the like consisting of step-like sections having thoir tread surfaces in oblique planes on the transporting run and in dill'erent oblique planes at the landing.

2.6. in a device of the class described, an inclined conveyor connecting diil'orcnt landings and consisting oi an endless moving stairwav having the tread surfaces between:

the landings in parallel oblique planes and at the landings in tlttitltlll] ob ique planes.

2c. in a device of the class described, the

combination with upper and lower tracks forming an inclined way, of sections adapted to break into step-like formation on the. in cline and having front and rear wheels adapted to the lower and upper tracks, respectively, the tread surfaces of the sections being in )arallel oblique ilanes on the incline. 27. n a device of the class described, a conveyor connecting upper and lower levels and consisting of sections adapted to break into step-like formation with their tread surfaces in horizontal planes at the landings, and in parallel oblique planes on the inclined run.

28. In a device of the class described, a conveyer connecting upper and lower levels and consisting of sections adapted to break into step-like formation with their tread sur and in intersecting, obli ue faces in horizontal, in parallel and in inter sci-ting oblique planes.

29. .ln a device of the class described, an upper and a lower landing provided with a lloat, an endless conveycr extending between the landings and consisting of sections which are in step-like formations on the incline, the tread surface of each step as it passes under the float at the landings being substantially horizcmtal, and the tread surfaces of thesteps between such points being in oblique planes.

In testimony whereof l allix my signature. in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES l). SICEB'IQRUER.

Witnesses:

H. L. GILLESPII'I, A. B. Sumerian. 

